Water purification system

ABSTRACT

The inventions relate to purifying water and can be used in domestic water purification systems. The claimed filtered water storage unit for the storage device of a water purification system includes a housing, an elastic chamber for filtered water, and a region for pressurizing untreated water. The water purification system includes a reverse osmosis membrane, a clean water discharge pipe, an overflow into a drain, a clean water tap, and a storage device having a filtered water storage unit and a hydroautomatic unit. The outlet of the controlled chamber of a valve is associated with the water pressurizing region in the housing of the water storage unit, and the input of the controlling chamber of a valve is associated with the clean water discharge pipe upstream of the tap, wherein the valve for controlling water pressurization is normally open and the valve for controlling drainage is normally closed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/500,634, filed on 5 Apr. 2012, which is a U.S. National Phase ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/RU2010/000491, filed on 8 Sep.2010, which claims priority to and the benefit of Russian PatentApplication No. 2009137417, filed on 5 Oct. 2009, the contents of eachof the foregoing patent applications incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present inventions relate to the means for water treatment,preferably drinking water, and can be used in domestic waterpurification systems.

There is known a domestic reverse-osmosis system with a storage devicefor water that contains placed in the outer housing of the storage tankan elastic shell hermetically separating its cavity into two parts: theinternal part changing cyclically its volume depending on the amount ofpurified water in it, and the outer part arranged between the shell andthe housing of the storage tank, and also includes a control valve forwater pumping into the outer chamber and control valve for water drainfrom the cavity to drainage.

In the prior art, there is known a number of U.S. patents (for example,U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,579,242; 4,585,554; 4,604,194; 4,629,568; 4,650,586;4,705,625; 4,776,952; 4,885,085; 4,997,553; 5,662793, etc.) thatdescribe water purification systems with storage devices for waterincluding an air cavity.

At the same time, in water purification systems, there are usedmechanical valves (for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,553), piston typevalves (for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,463), and membrane type valves(for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,537).

However, practical implementation of these devices is difficult since itrequires a complex, highly reliable control system for water-to-waterstorage device.

There is known a water purification system using a device to accumulatepurified filtered water, which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,595published on 20 Jun. 2004, produced by Kinetico Incorporated, which ischosen as a prototype for the system and storage device.

The system includes a reverse-osmosis membrane, storage tank and controlunit (block diagram shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B). The storage tank of theknown water purification system is equipped with an elastic shellarranged inside an external vessel of the tank, which shell is intendedfor purified water (leachate or permeate), and a pumping area formed inthe space between the shell and the vessel housing. In the system ofwater purification, the input of reverse-osmosis membrane is intended tosupply pressurized tap water, and the output of reverse-osmosis membranecoupled with the shell cavity of the storage tank is connected with thetap for clean water via an outlet pipe.

Another output of reverse-osmosis membrane is connected with thedrainage where the water with filtered impurities (concentrate) isdischarged. For managing water pumping into the storage tank anddischarge of the concentrate into the drainage, the system is equippedwith two control valves connected in series, one after the other. Thatis, the system control unit includes a water-pressure-sensitiveautomatic primary control valve for water pumping (Pilot Valve), whichvalve has a controlling chamber and a controlled chamber, as well as aslave valve (Servo Valve) for drainage control with a controllingchamber and a controlled chamber. The controlling chamber of the PilotValve is connected with a tap of clean water via an outlet pipe, and theinput of the controlled chamber is connected with the pipe-line. In thedrainage control valve, the input of the controlled chamber is connectedto a pumping water zone in the storage tank, and the output of thecontrolled chamber is connected to the drainage.

The described system uses combined type valves, which valves are drivenby control pressure through the chamber containing an elastic membrane,and their shifting is performed using a piston spool.

The large number of inputs-outputs for the valve of control unit, i.e.,large number of points needed in sealing, evidences a high degree ofrisk of potential leaks in the system, which reduces the reliability ofthe system. At the same time, a large number of connections in thesystem, as well as the connecting scheme, in which the control valve forwater pumping is not coupled directly to the storage tank, but onlythrough the drainage control valve, allows to make a conclusion on thecomplexity of the water purification system control unit, which reducesreliability of the system.

In addition, the storage device has the stagnant zone, which transfershydraulic pressure, but in which the water does not circulate. In theseareas, bacteria and germs develop, penetrate in time the line of cleanwater, and deteriorate its quality.

Storage tanks for water treatment systems include flexible membranes(shells, cells) designed to separate objects of storage and accumulateintermediate objects.

There is a group of tank constructions with a membrane that has reducedcomparatively with the overall dimensions a connecting part—the neck.Such membrane configuration greatly simplifies connection to the tankhousing and organization of stream redirection, allows to reduce sealingpart dimensions and therefore tensions in sealing elements. Further, theconfiguration with the neck provides a possibility to remove themembrane sealing zone from the area of connection of tank housingelements, or to use one-piece tank housing.

Using the construction of storage tank with an elastic membrane in thesystem of water purification is known, for example, from aforesaid U.S.Pat. No. 6,764,595 of Kinetico Incorporated.

Traditionally, similar membranes are manufactured using differentmethods. One method is direct or transfer (flow) molding of rubbercompounds with subsequent removal of vulcanized products from a punchthrough a narrowed neck. Some types of rubbers have feature of highrelative elongation, and also the punch cross section has figured shape,which allows to carry out the process of removal without damaging theproduct. The disadvantages of this method are energy intensity andduration of the product vulcanization process, and also the highcomplexity of the removing operation. Another method for obtainingmembranes is pressure molding thermoplastic elastomer with subsequentremoving a cooled product from punch through the neck. However, smallerin comparison with rubbers relative elongation of thermoplasticelastomers significantly complicates removing a product and theconstruction of a punch. Besides, pressure molding technology, whichsubstantially reduces the cycle time, limits the thickness of thecasting walls, and makes it difficult to obtain a membrane with athickness of baseline minimum to perform its functions.

As a prototype, selected is a storage unit for filtered water describedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,553 of 5 Mar. 1991, which storage unit includes ahousing (of a tank) with an elastic shell inside performed ofthermostatic elastomer and fixed to the housing using the neck thatisolates hermetically the inner cavity intended for storing clean waterfrom the volume formed between housing walls and shell walls intendedfor discharging process water.

During the operation, the membrane body is cyclically compressed andextended changing divided volumes, while the neck remains firmly fixedin the tank providing a seal. This gives rise to different requirementson mechanical properties of different parts of the membrane: themembrane body shall be more durable, flexible and wear-resistant, whilethe neck shall be more rigid. The prototype does not solve the aforesaidproblem.

SUMMARY

The object of the group of claimed inventions is to provide a waterpurification system, as well as a device and units used in the systemhaving high reliability and providing high water treatment quality.

The object is achieved by a filtered water storage unit for the storagedevice of the water purification systems, which includes a housing thathas located in it an elastic chamber for filtered water, and a pumpingzone formed by a space between the chamber walls and housing walls,wherein the elastic chamber is performed of thermoplastic elastomer andincludes a monolithic neck rigidly fixed in the housing and the chamberbody, wherein, according to the invention, the storage unit includes thechamber body performed of modified thermoplastic elastomer havingbiaxially oriented structure.

The elastic chamber (membrane) provided in the filtered water storageunit for the storage device of the water purification systemhermetically separates the housing cavity into two parts: the internalpart for filtered water, and the space between its walls and housingwalls for pumping non-treated water thereinto. In operation, the elasticbody of the chamber-membrane is cyclically compressed and expandedchanging volumes separated by it, while the neck remains firmly fixed inthe housing. The chamber body material has a biaxially oriented polymerstructure obtained in the manufacturing process. The elastic chamber isproduced by a two-stage blow forming method. At the first stage of blowforming the thermoplastic elastomer, a small sized work piece isobtained, in which the neck had been formed for the future chamber. Inthe second stage, the neck of the heated work piece is fixed, and theheated work piece is blown that extends the work piece to finite size.Thus, in the second stage, the neck material does not change, and thebody material has been modified, wherein the temperature and strain rateare determined from the conditions of performing cold orientationalcrystallization. The aforesaid processes are described in the followingsources: 1. G. M. Bartenev, S. Y. Frenkel, “Polymer Physics”, L.:Chemistry, 1990; 2. G. H. Briston, L. L. Katan, “Polymer Films”, M.:Chemistry, 1993; 3. V. E. Gul, V. N. Kuleznev, “Structure And MechanicalProperties Of Polymers”, M.: Publishing House “Labyrinth”, 1994.

Such a modification of the polymer supramolecular structure(hereinafter—SMS) results in reduced brittleness (increased impactstrength), increased ductility, increased bending fatigue strength,hence, considerably increased resistance of the chamber to cyclic loadsduring operation. The presence of polymer oriented structure alsoincreases barrier properties of the chamber walls and, thus, reduceslikelihood of diffusion of chemicals through the chamber walls [1], [2],[3].

In particular embodiments, body walls of the chamber of the storage unitfor filtered water are at least 20% thinner than walls of chamber neck;the body walls preferably have a thickness between 0.1 mm to 5 mm, mostpreferably 0.3 mm to 2 mm. All figures are obtained experimentally. TheSMS modification of the chamber body material allows to have a smallerbody wall thickness as compared with the wall thickness of the chamberneck. This provides the chamber body with more flexibility, while thechamber neck being thickened ensures fixture rigidity and a hermeticseal in the housing. The neck rigidity promotes flow arrangement insidethe storage unit for filtered water that does not allow a flexiblechamber body to close input and output openings. Reducing the wallthickness of the chamber body also reduces the weight of the product.

In the particular case of implementation, the body walls of the chamberof the storage unit for filtered water are performed of thermoplasticwith biaxially oriented structure preferably selected from the group ofthermoplastic polyolefin elastomers or styrene elastomers. Such choiceis determined experimentally as the optimum material to use for thedescribed purposes. A thermoplastic elastomer can be used as aparticular material for the chamber, for example, Dryflex 600 601(produced by Nolato Elastotechnic).

Therefore, application of the described above construction improves thechamber resistance to cyclic loads during operation, reduces the weightof a product, and improves barrier properties of the chamber. This, inturn, leads to higher reliability and higher quality of waterpurification.

The object of the invention is also achieved due to the fact that, inthe first embodiment, the storage device of the system for waterpurification includes the storage unit for filtered water and ahydroautomatic unit, wherein the storage unit for filtered water is ahousing with the elastic chamber for filtered water positioned inside,and the pumping zone formed by space between the chamber walls and thehousing for non-treated (pipe-line) water, and the hydroautomatic unithas a sensitivity to water pressure automatic control valve thatcontrols water pressure in the pumping zone in the body of the storageunit for filtered water equipped with a controlling chamber and acontrolled chamber, and an automatic control valve for controllingdrainage equipped with a controlling chamber and a controlled chamber,wherein the controlling chamber input of the control valve for waterpumping is designed to connect to the pipeline for purified water, thecontrolled chamber input of this control valve is designed to connect tothe water supply, the controlled chamber input of the drainage controlvalve is connected to the water-pumping zone in the housing of thefiltered water storage unit, and its output is designed to connect withdrainage, wherein, according to the invention, the controlled chamberoutput of the pumping water control valve is connected to thewater-pumping zone in the housing of the filtered water storage unit,and the controlling chamber input of the drainage control valve isdesigned to connect to the clean water pipeline, and wherein the waterpumping control valve is normally open, and the drainage control valveis normally closed.

In the storage device described in the prototype (U.S. Pat. No.6,764,595 of Kinetico Incorporated), the hydroautomatic unit operates asfollows. When the clean water pipeline pressure increases (when theclean water tap is closed), control (primary) valve (Pilot Valve) comesinto the state, in which the slave valve (Servo Valve) is open forconnection to the drainage, so water flows through the slave valve, fromthe pumping zone in the filtered water storage unit housing into thedrainage, non-purified water pressure applied to the elastic chamberwalls of the storage unit is reduced, and the elastic chamber is filledwith purified filtered water. If the clean water tap is open, pressurein the clean water pipeline decreases, the control (primary) valve(Pilot Valve) changes its state so that the slave valve (Servo Valve) isclosed for connection to the drainage and is open for connection to thewater supply line, which results in that the pipeline water, via theslave valve, enters the storage unit pumping zone, making pressureapplied to the elastic chamber walls and pressing out therefrom filteredwater into the clean water pipeline.

Thus, in the prototype, automatic valves of the hydroautomatic unit areconnected to the filtered water storage unit in sequence, i.e., when theclean water pipeline pressure changes, at first the control (primary)valve (Pilot Valve) changes its state, and then, due to the seriesconnection of the controlled chamber output of the primary valve to thecontrolling chamber input of the slave valve, there is changed thestatus of the the second valve connected to the pumping water zone inthe storage unit housing.

In the proposed storage device, according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention, the hydroautomatic unit operates as follows. When theclean water tap is closed (raised pressure in the clean water pipeline),the pumping control valve is closed, and the drainage control valve isopen, which results in that untreated water flows from the pumping zoneof the storage unit into the drainage via the drainage control valve,the water pressure applied by the untreated water to elastic chamberwalls in the storage unit is reduced, and the elastic chamber is filledwith purified filtered water. If the clean water tap is open, pressurein the clean water pipeline drops, the pumping control valve opens, andthe drainage control valve is closed, resulting in that the supply linewater flows through the pumping control valve, enters the pumping zoneof the storage unit, exerts pressure applied to elastic chamber walls,and pushes out filtered water therefrom into the clean water line.

Thus, in the proposed storage device, controlling chamber inputs of bothautomatic valves (the pumping control valve and the drainage controlvalve) are designed to connect to the clean water pipeline, and thecontrolled chamber outputs of these valves are connected to the waterpumping zone in the housing of the filtered water storage unit. Thus, itmay be said that the automatic pumping control valve and automaticdrainage control valve are connected in parallel to the water pumpingzone in the housing storage unit for filtered water.

At series connection of automatic valves of the hydroautomatic unit withthe filtered water storage unit in the storage device of the prototype,there are stagnant, so-called “dead” zones, which transfer hydraulicpressure, but do not allow water to circulate, namely:

-   -   connection of the clean water pipeline with the controlling        chamber input of the control (primary) valve (Pilot Valve) (the        water pumping and drainage control valves, in the proposed        solution);    -   connection of the controlled chamber input of the of the control        (primary) valve (Pilot Valve) (the water pumping control valve,        in the proposed solution) from the tapping point of this        connection to one of controlled chamber inputs of the slave        valve (Servo Valve) (drainage control valve, in the proposed        solution);    -   connection of one of controlled chamber outputs of the control        (primary) valve (Pilot Valve) (the water pumping control valve,        in the proposed solution) to the controlling chamber input of        the slave valve (Servo Valve) (drainage control valve, in the        proposed solution)—this connection is absent in the inventive        solution; and    -   connection of one of controlled chamber outputs of the control        (primary) valve (Pilot Valve) (the water pumping control valve,        in the proposed solution)—this connection is absent in the        inventive solution.

In these areas, there develop bacteria and microbes which penetrate withtime in the clean water pipeline and deteriorate its quality. In theclaimed device performed according to the first embodiment, all of thespecified dead zones, except the first dead zone, are absent, whichresults in improvement of the quality of filtered water.

The proposed storage device circuit allows to use, as automatic valvesof the hydroautomatic unit, different design valves in comparison withvalves used in the prototype. In the prototype, there are used spooltype valves, in which purified filtered water (permeate) and untreated(supplied) water are separated by only a thin membrane, in case ofviolation of which the microbes from the supplied water can get into thefiltered water. The claimed device uses automatic valves with elasticmembrane, in which there is an air cavity (coupled with the atmosphere)between filtered water and supplied water, which prevents ingress ofmicrobes into the filtered water and in the clean water tap in case ofpossible damage of the membrane.

In addition, for implementation of the proposed storage device, asautomatic valves of the hydroautomatic unit, there are used valves withone input and one output of the controlled chamber, in comparison withcontrolled chamber valves with three inputs and three outputs in theprototype, which reduces the number of compounds in the inventivedevice, simplifies its design, and increases device reliability.

The aforesaid object is achieved also due to the fact that in the secondembodiment, the storage device of the water purification system includesa filtered water unit storage and hydroautomatic unit, wherein thefiltered water storage unit is a housing containing inside the elasticchamber for filtered water and a non-treated (supplied) water pumpingzone formed by space between chamber walls and the housing, and thehydroautomatic unit has the water pressure sensitive automatic valve forcontrolling pumping water in the pumping zone in the filtered waterstorage unit housing with the controlling and controlled chambers, and adrainage automatic control valve having controlling and controlledchambers, wherein, according to the invention, the water pumping controlvalve in the pumping zone in the filtered water storage unit housing andthe drainage control valve are combined constructively together and havea single controlling chamber, wherein the controlling chamber input andoutput are designed to connect to the clean water pipeline, thecontrolled chambers of the pumping control valve and the drainagecontrol valve are connected to the controlling chamber in parallel, andwherein the water pumping control valve normally is open, and thedrainage control valve normally is closed, and wherein the controlledchamber input of the water pumping control valve is designed to connectto the water supply, and the output is connected to the pumping zone inthe filtered water storage unit housing, and the controlled chamberinput of the drainage control valve is connected to the pumping zone inthe filtered water storage unit housing, and the output is intended toconnect with drainage.

In the storage device described in the prototype (U.S. Pat. No.6,764,595 of Kinetico Incorporated), the hydroautomatic unit operates asdescribed above (first embodiment).

In the claimed storage device, according to second embodiment, thehydroautomatic unit operates as follows. If the clean water tap isclosed, pressure in the clean water line is increased, which causes areaction of the controlling chamber that is common to both automaticvalves, in which input and output are designed to connect to the cleanwater line, wherein the water pumping control valve is set to closedposition, and the drainage control valve is set to open position,resulting in that untreated water from the storage unit pumping zone isdiscarded into the drainage, pressure of unpurified water applied to thestorage unit elastic chamber walls is reduced, and the elastic chamberis filled with filtered water. If the clean water tap is open, waterpressure in the clean water pipeline drops, the pumping control valveopens, and the drainage control valve closes, resulting in that suppliedwater enters the storage unit pumping zone via the water pumping controlvalve, exerts pressure on the elastic chamber walls and presses outtherefrom filtered water into the clean water pipeline.

That is, in the claimed storage device implemented according secondembodiment, when the input and output of the controlling chamber beingcommon to both automatic valves (the pumping control valve and thedrainage control valve) are designed to connect to the clean waterpipeline, and the controlled chamber outputs of both valves areconnected to the water pumping zone in the filtered water storage unithousing, then the automatic water pumping control valve and theautomatic drainage control valve are connected in parallel to the waterpumping zone in the filtered water storage unit housing.

Thus, in the storage device performed according to second embodiment,two independent controlling chambers of automatic valves are replacedwith one, which simplifies the scheme, reduces the number of waterconnections, and thus reduces the risk of external leakage. At the sametime, the cost of manufacturing the device decreases due to reducing thenumber of places requiring sealing.

In the case of the storage device implementation according to the secondembodiment, as in the first embodiment, the controlling chamber isseparated from each of the controlled chambers by the air cavityconnected with the atmosphere, which makes it impossible for water tostream from one cavity into another, thus avoiding, in a case of damageof the membrane, untreated water (including bacteria and viruses) fromgetting into purified water for users.

In addition, in the storage device implemented according to the secondembodiment, there are no dead zones (places, in which water does notflow), listed in the description of the storage device according to thefirst embodiment, including the dead zone, that remains in the deviceaccording to the first embodiment, namely, the point of connection ofthe clean water pipeline with a common controlling chamber of hydro unitvalves (the control (primary) valve (Pilot Valve), in the prototype).That is, in the proposed storage device implemented according to thesecond embodiment, there are absent “dead” zones, which leads to furtherimprovement of the quality of filtered water.

In particular embodiments of the storage device for the waterpurification system implemented according to both the first and thesecond embodiments, the filtered water storage unit chamber body wallsare performed of thermoplastic with biaxially-oriented structure.

As mentioned above, using as a chamber body material, a modified polymerwith biaxially-oriented structure, obtained in the manufacturingprocess, results in reduced fragility, increased ductility, increasedbending fatigue strength, and, therefore, increased resistance of thechamber to cyclic loads during operation. The presence of orientedstructure in the polymer also increases the barrier properties of thechamber walls and, therefore, reduces a risk of diffusion of chemicalsthrough the chamber walls.

In particular embodiments of the storage device for the waterpurification system, implemented according to both the first and thesecond embodiments, the filtered water storage unit chamber body wallsperformed of thermoplastic with biaxially-oriented structure arepreferably selected from the group of thermoplastic polyolefinelastomers or thermoplastic styrene elastomers. As mentioned above, suchchoice has been determined experimentally as the best material to usefor those purposes.

In particular embodiments of the storage device for the waterpurification system implemented according to both the first and thesecond embodiments, the filtered water storage unit chamber body wallsare at least 20% thinner than the walls of the chamber neck; the bodywalls preferably have thickness from 0.1 mm to 5 mm, most preferably 0.3mm to 2 mm. As mentioned above, all numerical values are obtainedexperimentally and are optimal for this purpose.

Comparative analysis of the storage device implemented according to boththe first and the second embodiments in relation of the prototype showsthat the proposed technical solution differs from the prototype andachieves the aforesaid object.

The aforesaid object is also achieved in that, according to the firstembodiment, the water purification system includes a reverse osmosismembrane, a clean water outlet pipe, a drain for the water withimpurities, a clean water tap, and the storage device, which includes astorage unit for storing filtered water and a hydroautomatic unit;

wherein the filtered water storage unit includes: a housing in whichthere is located an elastic chamber for filtered water and an untreated(supplied) water pumping zone formed by a space between the chamberwalls and the housing walls; and the hydroautomatic unit includes: awater pressure sensitive automatic control valve for control of waterpumping in the pumping zone, which automatic control valve is located inthe housing of the filtered water storage unit and has a controllingchamber and a controlled chamber, and a drainage automatic control valvehas a controlling chamber and a controlled chamber;

wherein the reverse osmosis membrane input is connected to a pressurizedwater supply pipeline, the purified water (permeate) output of thereverse osmosis membrane is connected, by the outlet pipe, with theclean water tap and an elastic chamber inside the cavity in the filteredwater storage unit housing, the reverse osmosis membrane output withwater including filtered impurities (concentrate) is connected todrainage by a drain pipe, the controlling chamber of the water pumpingcontrol valve is connected to the outlet pipe for treated water, thecontrolled chamber input of the water pumping control valve is connectedto the water supply, the controlled chamber input of the drainagecontrol valve is connected to the water pumping zone in the filteredwater storage unit housing, and output of the drainage control valve isconnected to the drainage;

wherein, according to the invention, the controlled chamber output ofthe water pumping control valve is connected to the water pumping zonein the filtered water storage unit housing, and the controlling chamberinput of the drainage control valve is connected to the clean wateroutlet pipe upstream of the tap, wherein the water pumping control valveis normally open, and the drainage control valve is normally closed.

The aforesaid object is also achieved in that, according to the secondembodiment, the water purification system includes a reverse osmosismembrane, a clean water outlet pipe, a drainage for water withimpurities, a clean water tap, and a storage device that includes afiltered water storage unit and a hydroautomatic unit,

wherein the filtered water storage unit includes: a housing in whichthere is located an elastic chamber for filtered water and an untreated(supplied) water pumping zone formed by a space between the chamberwalls and the housing walls; and the hydroautomatic unit includes: awater pressure sensitive automatic control valve for control of waterpumping in the pumping zone, which automatic control valve is located inthe housing of the filtered water storage unit and has a controllingchamber and a controlled chamber, and a drainage automatic control valvehaving a controlling chamber and a controlled chamber;

wherein the reverse osmosis membrane input is connected to a pressurizedwater supply pipeline, the purified water (permeate) output of thereverse osmosis membrane is connected, by the outlet pipe, with theclean water tap and an elastic chamber inside cavity in the filteredwater storage unit housing, the reverse osmosis membrane output withwater comprising filtered impurities (concentrate) is connected todrainage by a drain pipe,

wherein, according to the invention, the water pumping control valve inthe pumping zone in the housing of filtered water storage unit and thedrainage control valve are constructively combined together and have asingle common controlling chamber, wherein the controlling chamber inputand output are connected to the line of purified water outlet pipeupstream of the clean water tap, controlled chambers of the waterpumping control valve and the drainage control valve are connected tothe controlling chamber in parallel,

wherein the water pumping control valve is normally open, and thedrainage control valve is normally closed, at the same time, thecontrolled chamber input of the water pumping control valve is connectedto the water supply, and the controlled chamber output is connected tothe pumping zone in the filtered water storage unit housing, thecontrolled chamber input of the drainage control valve is connected tothe pumping zone in the filtered water storage unit housing, and itsoutput is connected to the drainage.

Thus, the proposed water purification system implemented, according tothe first and second embodiments, is the reverse osmosis system havingthe storage device including the clean water storage unit and thecontrol unit. At the same time, in the water purification systemimplemented according to the first embodiment, there is used theabove-described storage device performed according to the firstembodiment, and in the water purification system implemented accordingto the second embodiment, there is used the above-described storagedevice performed according to the second embodiment.

In this connection, the proposed water purification system implementedaccording to the first and second embodiments, has all of theabove-indicated benefits and advantages as compared with the systemdescribed in the prior art, which results in simplification of thedevice, increasing the reliability of its operation and raising qualityof filtered water intended for use by consumers.

In particular implementations according to both the first and secondembodiments, the water purification system further includes a prefilter,placed upstream of the reverse osmosis membrane. The prefilter has oneor more filters for prepurifying supplied water and removing from thesupplied water mechanical particles (e.g., sand) and/or chemicalcompounds (e.g., chlorine), which destroy the membrane. Therefore, theprefilter improves water filtration quality and increases operating lifeof the reverse osmosis membrane, i.e., increases the life of the systemas a whole.

In particular implementations according to both the first and secondembodiments, the water purification system further includes a shut-offhydraulically operated valve installed upstream of the reverse osmosismembrane and connected to the purified water outlet pipe.

The shut-off valve closes the water flow to the reverse osmosis membranein the case, if there is no water discharge in the clean water pipeline,and the water storage unit elastic chamber of the storage device isentirely filled with water, because otherwise untreated water passesthrough the membrane and is discharged to the drainage. That is, theshut-off hydraulically operated valve protects the reverse osmosismembrane from excessive usage in these cases, increases its servicelife, increases water filtration quality, and increases the operationallife and water saving of the water purification system.

In particular implementations according to both the first and secondembodiments, the water purification system further includes a checkvalve, which is installed in the purified water (permeate) pipelineupstream of the hydro unit.

Additional installation of the check valve in the water treatment systemprotects the hydro unit valves against false triggering, when thepressure drops in the filled chamber of the filtered water storage unit.This, in turn, protects the system against excessive consumption ofwater poured in the drainage, which increases the service life of themembrane, improves water filtration quality, and increases life of thewhole system.

In particular implementations according to both the first and secondembodiments, the water purification system further includes a postfilterinstalled in the clean water pipeline (permeate) upstream of the tap.

Additional installation of the postfilter allows to finally preparewater for use by a consumer (for example, remove off-odors, saturatewater with certain minerals), and improves the system operation quality.

In particular implementations according to both the first and secondembodiments, the chamber body of the filtered water storage unit in thewater purification system is performed of modified thermoplasticelastomer with biaxially oriented structure, which, in particular, ispreferably selected from the group of thermoplastic polyolefinelastomers or thermoplastic styrene elastomers.

In this case, in particular, the chamber body walls of the filteredwater storage unit are at least 20% thinner than the walls of thechamber neck.

Thus, in particular, the chamber body walls preferably have a thicknessof 0.1 mm to 5 mm, most preferably 0.3 mm to 2 mm.

Since the proposed water purification system implemented according toboth the first and second embodiments includes a reverse osmosis systemwith a clean water storage device including a water storage unit and acontrol unit, in this system, in all particular cases of itsimplementation, there is used the filtered water storage unit describedabove, embodied in particular different cases as described above, theuse of which allows to obtain additional benefits that were specified atdescribing the filtered water storage unit in general and special cases.

Therefore, the proposed water purification system implemented accordingto both the first and second embodiments has all of the above-indicatedbenefits and advantages as compared with the system described in theprior art, which results in improving the quality of filtered water andincreasing the reliability of the whole system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The proposed group of inventions entitled as “Filtered water storageunit for a storage device of a water purification system, the storagedevice of the water purification systems (embodiments), the waterpurification system (embodiments)” are illustrated by the followingdrawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a functional diagram of the water purificationsystem according to the first embodiment with using the storage deviceaccording to the first embodiment, and the filtered water storage unitin:

a) state at closed clean water tap (FIG. 1A); and

b) state at open clean water tap (FIG. 1B).

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a functional diagram of the water purificationsystem according to the second embodiment with using the storage deviceaccording to the second embodiment, and the filtered water storage unitin:

a) state at closed clean water tap (FIG. 2A); and

b) state at open clean water tap (FIG. 2B).

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a functional diagram of the water purificationsystem of “Kinetico” Incorporated (prototype) in:

a) state at closed clean water tap (FIG. 3A); and

b) state at open clean water tap (FIG. 3B).

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an example of structural embodiment (firstembodiment) with:

a) drainage automatic control valve (FIG. 4A); and

b) water pumping automatic control valve (FIG. 4B).

FIG. 5 shows an example of structural embodiment (second embodiment) ofautomatic control valves for water pumping and drainage control with acommon controlling chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The proposed water purification system in the general case ofimplementation performed according to the first embodiment with use ofthe proposed storage device performed according to the first embodimentand also the proposed storage unit for filtered water (FIGS. 1A and 1B)includes the reverse osmosis membrane 1, the outlet pipe 2 of the cleanwater pipeline, a drainage 3, a clean water tap 4, and a storage device5 including a filtered water storage unit 6 and a hydroautomatic unit 7,

wherein the filtered water storage unit 6 has a housing 8 in which thereis located an elastic chamber 9 for filtered water and a pumping zone 10for untreated (supplied) water, which zone is created by space betweenthe chamber walls and the housing walls, and the hydroautomatic unit 7includes a water pressure-sensitive automatic control valve 11 for waterpumping control in the housing 8 of the filtered water storage unit 6with a controlling chamber and controlled chamber, and automatic controlvalve 12 for drainage control with a controlling chamber and controlledchamber,

wherein the water pumping control valve 11 normally is open, and thedrainage control valve 12 normally is closed, the input of thereverse-osmosis membrane 1 is connected to the pressurized water supply,the output of the reverse-osmosis membrane 1 with the purified water(permeate) is connected with the clean water tap 4 via the outlet pipe 2and with the inner cavity of the elastic chamber 9 in the housing 8 ofthe filtered water storage unit 6, and the output of the reverse-osmosismembrane 1 with water including filtered impurities (concentrate) isconnected to the drainage 3.

At the same time, the controlling chamber of the water pumping controlvalve 11 is connected to the outlet pipe 2 for purified water, thecontrolled chamber input of the valve 11 is connected to the watersupply, the controlled chamber input of the drainage control valve 12 isconnected to the water pumping zone 10 in the housing 8 of the filteredwater storage unit 6, and its output is connected to the drainage 3; thecontrolled chamber output of the water pumping control valve 11 isconnected to the water pumping zone 10 in the housing 8 of the filteredwater storage unit 6, and the input of the controlling chamber of thedrainage valve control 12 is connected to the purified water outlet pipe2 upstream of the tap 4.

The proposed water purification system in the general case ofimplementation according to the second embodiment with use of theproposed storage device implemented according to the second embodiment,and also the proposed storage unit for filtered water (FIG. 2) includesthe reverse osmosis membrane 1, the outlet pipe 2 of the clean waterpipeline, the drainage 3, the clean water tap 4 and the storage device 5including the filtered water storage unit 6 and hydroautomatic unit 7,

wherein the filtered water storage unit 6 includes the housing 8 inwhich there is located the elastic chamber 9 for filtered water and thepumping zone 10 for untreated (supplied) water, which pumping zone iscreated by space between the chamber walls and the housing walls, andthe hydroautomatic unit 7 includes the water pressure-sensitiveautomatic control valve 11 for water pumping control in the housing 8 ofthe filtered water storage unit 6 with the controlling chamber and thecontrolled chamber, and the automatic control valve 12 for drainagecontrol with the controlling chamber and the controlled chamber,

wherein the input of the reverse-osmosis membrane 1 is connected to thepressurized water supply, the output of the reverse-osmosis membrane 1with the purified water (permeate) is connected with the clean water tap4 via the outlet pipe 2 and with the inner cavity of the elastic chamber9 in the housing 8 of the filtered water storage unit 6, and the outputof the reverse-osmosis membrane 1 with water including filteredimpurities (concentrate) is connected to the drainage 3.

At the same time, the water pumping control valve 11 in the pumping zone10 in the housing 8 of the filtered water storage unit 6 and thedrainage control valve 12 are constructively combined together and havethe single common controlling chamber, which by its input and output isconnected to the outlet pipe 2 (permeate) upstream of the clean watertap 4, controlled chambers of the water pumping control valve 11 and thedrainage control valve 12 are connected to the controlling chamber inparallel,

wherein the water pumping control valve 11 normally is open, and thedrainage control valve 12 normally is closed, and wherein the input ofthe controlled chamber of the water pumping control valve 11 isconnected to the water supply pipeline, and the output of the controlledchamber of the water pumping control valve 11 is connected to thepumping zone 10 in the housing 8 of the filtered water storage unit 6,the input of the controlled chamber of the drainage control valve 12 isconnected to the pumping zone 10 in the housing 8 of the filtered waterstorage unit 6, and its output is connected to the drainage.

In particular cases of implementing the water purification systemaccording to both the first and second embodiments, the system furtherincludes the prefilter 13 installed upstream of the reverse osmosismembrane 1.

In particular cases of implementing the water purification systemaccording to both the first and second embodiments, the system furtherincludes a shut-off hydraulically operated valve 14 placed upstream ofthe reverse osmosis membrane 1 and connected to the filtered wateroutlet pipe 2.

In particular cases of implementing the water purification systemaccording to both the first and second embodiments, the system furtherincludes the postfilter 15 installed in the purified water (permeate)line upstream of the tap 4.

In particular cases of implementing the water purification systemaccording to both the first and second embodiments, the system furtherincludes the check valve 16 installed in the purified water (permeate)line upstream of the hydroautomatic unit 7.

In particular cases of implementing the water purification systemaccording to both the first and second embodiments with use of theproposed storage device implemented according to both the first andsecond embodiments, and also the proposed filtered water storage unit(FIGS. 1A and 1B, FIGS. 2A and 2B), when the body of the elastic chamber9 of the filtered water unit storage 6 is performed of modifiedthermoplastic elastomer with biaxially-oriented structure, in particularselected preferably from the group of thermoplastic polyolefinelastomers or thermoplastic styrene elastomers, and also in otherparticular cases, in which walls of the body of the chamber 9 of thefiltered water storage unit 6 are at least 20% thinner than the walls ofthe neck of the chamber 9, or preferably have a thickness of 0.1 mm to 5mm, most preferably 0.3 mm to 2 mm, their units and elements are thesame as in the general case of their implementation.

The proposed water purification system in the general case ofimplementation according to the first embodiment, with use of theproposed storage device implemented according to the first embodiment,and also the proposed filtered water storage unit (FIGS. 1A and 1B), isoperated as follows.

Initially, the system is not connected to the water supply under highpressure—water supply pipeline, i.e., the inlet valve (is not shown inthe drawing) is closed; there is no water in the elastic chamber 9 ofthe filtered water storage unit 6 of the storage device 5, the drainageautomatic control valve 12 is in the “closed” position, the position ofthe water pumping control valve 11 does not matter, and the pure watertap 4 is open.

At the first turn on of the system, i.e., at its connection to the watersupply, the inlet valve (not shown) opens. Since the clean water tap 4is opened, the pressure in the cavity of the elastic chamber 9 of thefiltered water storage unit 6 in the storage device 5 is a little morethan zero (0 bar). And since the pressure drop across the reverseosmosis membrane (ROM) 1 is nearest to zero, the pressure upstream ofthe ROM is determined by the pressure in the cavity of the elasticchamber 9, and is also slightly different from zero. Since, in thiscase, the ROM represents a significant hydraulic resistance, water doesnot pass through the ROM and does not enter the cavity of the elasticchamber 9 of the filtered water storage unit 6 of the storage device 5,and the water from the supply main pipeline enters the controlledchamber of the water pumping control valve 11.

In the cavity of the controlled chamber of the automatic valve 11, waterexerts pressure on the elastic membrane, which hermetically separates itfrom the cavity connected to the atmosphere; the membrane, in turn,exerts pressure on the end of the rod of the automatic valve 11, andsince in the control cavity, this time, there is no pressure (the cleanwater tap 4 is open), then the pressure is not exerted on the end of therod from the side of the cavity, which results in displacement of therod, i.e., the water pumping automatic control valve 11 opens and allowswater to flow through it into the water pumping zone 10 of the waterstorage unit 6 of the storage device 5. The supplied water entering intothe pumping zone 10 puts pressure on walls of the easily deformableelastic chamber 9, thereby compressing it and pushing out the technicalair, which goes into the atmosphere through the open clean water tap 4.

This happens as long as the water entering the pumping zone 10 of thewater storage unit 6 of the storage device 5 fills the volume availableto it in the housing 8.

Once this occurs, the pressure in the pumping zone 10 starts to increaseup to a value slightly lower than the pressure in the main water supplypipeline, after which the flow of water in the pumping zone 10 isterminated. As a result, the pressure at the point upstream of the ROM 1increases almost up to the pressure in the main water supply, and thewater flows to the input of the ROM. Passing through the ROM, the wateris split into two streams: the first stream is filtered and purifieddemineralized water (permeate), which from the output of the ROM entersto the clean water pipeline via the outlet pipe 2, and the second streamis water containing filtered impurities including salt (concentrate),which goes to the drainage 3. Since at the same time, the supplied watercontinues to put pressure on the walls of the elastic chamber 9 of thefiltered water storage unit 6 of the storage device 5, the purifiedwater cannot get into the cavity of the elastic chamber 9 and, instead,enters the open clean water tap 4 and freely flows from the clean watertap 4.

At this moment, the clean water tap 4 is closed, discharge of purifiedwater (permeate) through the tap stops, leading to increased pressure inthe clean water pipeline within the system. In this case, the stem ofthe water pumping automatic control valve 11 begins to move in thedirection of the controlled chamber as long as this will block the watersupply out of it, as a result of which, there is terminated water supplyfrom the water mains into the pumping zone 10 of the filtered waterstorage unit 6 of the storage device 5. Simultaneously, the stem of thedrainage automatic control valve 12 begins to move toward the controlledcavity until it stops and opens, resulting in that the untreated waterfrom the water pumping zone 10 of the filtered water storage unit 6 ismerged into the drainage via the valve 12, the pressure of untreatedwater on the wall of the elastic chamber 9 in the storage unit 6 isreduced, and the elastic chamber 9 is filled with purified water.

The process continues until the easily deformable elastic chamber 9takes up the whole volume available for it in the housing 8 of thefiltered water storage unit 6 of the storage device 5.

After completely filling the elastic chamber 9 with purified water, thepressure in the clean water pipeline starts to increase, water supply tothe input of the ROM 1 is terminated. The pressure at the point upstreamof the ROM 1 increases almost to the pressure in the water mains, andwater flows to the input of the ROM 1, i.e., the system takes itsinitial position.

When the clean water tap 4 is opened, pressure drops in the clean waterpipeline, the drainage automatic control valve 12 is closed andterminates the flow of unpurified water from the water pumping zone 10of the filtered water storage unit 6 in the storage device 5 to thedrainage, and the water pumping automatic control valve 11 is opened, asa result of which supplied water begins to flow through the valve 11into the pumping zone 10 of the filtered water storage unit 6 in thestorage device 5, creating there pressure applied to walls of theelastic chamber 9 and pressing out therefrom purified water (permeate)into the clean water pipeline, which purified water flows to the inputof the clean water tap 4 and flows out from its spout.

At closing the clean water tap 4, pressure in the clean water lineincreases forcing the pumping automatic control valve 11 to close,stopping the flow of untreated water into the pumping zone 10 of thefiltered water storage unit 6 in the storage device 5, and the drainageautomatic control valve 12 is opened resulting in that non-treated waterfrom the pumping zone of the water storage unit is drained off into thedrainage through the valve 12, the pressure of supplied water applied tothe walls of the elastic chamber 9 in the storage unit 6 is reduced,elastic chamber 9 is filled with purified filtered water.

Thus, in case of purified filtered water is required, the user thenopens and closes the valve 4, and processes described above arerepeated.

From the description of the proposed water purification systemimplemented according to the first embodiment with use of the proposedstorage device according to the first embodiment, it follows thatbecause of parallel connection of the water pumping automatic controlvalve 11 and the drainage automatic control valve 12 with the waterpumping zone 10 in the housing 8 of the filtered water storage unit 6 inthe storage device 5, in the system compared to the prototype, there areno stagnant zones, in which there is no flow of water, except one(points of connection of the clean water pipeline with inputs ofcontrolling chambers of automatic control valves 11 and 12), in whichthe bacteria and microbes are developed and penetrate over time in theclean water pipeline, and deteriorate filtered water quality. That is,the use of the proposed system with the appropriate storage deviceprovides better filtered water quality.

In addition, to implement the proposed water purification system havingthe proposed storage device, as the automatic valves 11 and 12 of thehydroautomatic unit 7, there are used automatic valves with elasticmembranes, in which, between purified filtered water and supplied water,there is an air cavity coupled with the atmosphere, which cavityprevents the ingress of bacteria in filtered water and in the cleanwater tap in case of possible damage to the membrane. At the same time,controlled chambers of the automatic valves 11 and 12 each has only oneinput and one output as compared with three inputs/outputs of thecontrolled chamber in the prototype valve, which reduces the number ofconnections in the proposed device and enhances its reliability.

The proposed water purification system, in the general case ofimplementation, performed according to the second embodiment, with useof the proposed storage device performed according to the secondembodiment, and also the proposed filtered water storage unit (FIGS. 2Aand 2B), operates, in principle, according to the first embodiment,taking into account the following differences.

The water pumping control valve 11 and the drainage control valve 12have the single common controlling chamber, in which inlet and outletare connected to the clean water pipeline. When the clean water tap 4 isclosed, pressure in the clean water pipeline increases, which causereaction of the single common controlling chamber of both automaticvalves, the water pumping control valve 11 is set into closed position,and drainage control valve 12 is set into open position, resulting inthat untreated supplied water flows from the water pumping zone 10 ofthe water storage unit 6 via the valve 12 and is discharged into thedrainage, the pressure of unpurified water applied to walls of theelastic chamber 9 in the storage unit 6 is reduced, and the elasticchamber 9 is filled with purified filtered water. If the clean water tap4 is open, the pressure in the clean water pipeline drops, the waterpumping control valve 11 is opened, and the drainage control valve 12 isclosed, resulting in that the supplied water from the water mains entersthe pumping zone 10 of the water storage unit 6 via the valve 11, putspressure on walls of elastic chamber 9, and squeezes out the filteredwater into the clean water pipeline.

Depending on the necessity of purified filtered water, the user opensand closes the clean water tap 4, and the above-described processes arerepeated.

From the description of the proposed water purification systemimplemented according to the second embodiment with use of the proposedstorage device according to the second embodiment, it follows that, incomparison with the first embodiment, combining two controlling chambersof both automatic valves (the water pumping control valve 11 and thedrainage control valve 12) in a single common controlling chambersimplifies the scheme, reduces water connections, and thus reduces riskof external leakage.

At the same time, as in the first embodiment, as the automatic valves 11and 12 of the hydroautomatic unit 7, there are used automatic valveswith elastic membranes, which have controlled chambers each of which hasonly one input and one output, which reduces the number of connectionsin the inventive device as compared with the prototype and increasesreliability of the inventive device. In this case also, as in the firstembodiment, the controlling chamber of the automatic valves 11 and 12 ofthe hydroautomatic unit 7 is separated from the controlled part by theair cavity coupled with the atmosphere, which makes it impossible toflow water from one cavity to another, thus avoiding, in case of damagedmembrane, unpurified water (containing bacteria and viruses) enteringpurified water for a user.

In addition, in the system implemented according to the secondembodiment with the storage device implemented according to the secondembodiment, there are completely missing stagnant zones, i.e., placeswhere there is no flow of water, which in operation, leads, as comparedwith the prototype and the first embodiment, to further improvement ofthe quality of filtered water.

In particular implementations of the water purification system accordingto the first and second embodiments, when additionally including theprefilter 13 installed upstream of the reverse osmosis membrane 1, thesystem operates in the same way, as in the general case of itsimplementation, with the following differences.

The installed prefilter 13, which includes one or more prefilters forcleaning supplied water from water supply mains, purifies the suppliedwater from mechanical particles (e.g., sand) and/or chemical compounds(e.g., chlorine) that destroy the reverse osmosis membrane, whichimproves the quality of water filtration and increases the life of thereverse osmotic membrane 1, i.e., increases the life of the system as awhole.

In particular cases of the water purification system according to thefirst and second embodiments, when further including the hydraulicallycontrolled shut-off valve 14 installed upstream of the reverse osmosismembrane 1 and connected to the clean water outlet pipe 2, the systemoperates as in the general case of its implementation, with thefollowing differences.

The installed shut-off hydraulically controlled valve 14, in a case ifthere is no consumption of filtered water, and the elastic chamber 9 ofthe water storage unit 6 of the storage device 5 is completely filledwith filtered water, terminates the flow of supplied water from thewater mains to the reverse osmosis membrane 1, since otherwise untreatedwater passes through the membrane 1 and drains off to the drainage,i.e., protects the reverse osmosis membrane from excessive use in thesecases, increases its service life, improves the quality of waterfiltration, increases the life of water purification systems, andprovides water saving.

In particular cases of implementing the water purification systemaccording to the first and second embodiments, when further includingthe additional postfilter 15 installed in the clean water line upstreamof the tap 4, the system operates as in the general case of itsimplementation, with the following differences.

The postfilter 15 allows filtered water to be completely prepared foruse by a consumer (for example, cut off extraneous odors, saturate thewater with certain minerals, etc.), and improves the quality ofoperation of the water purification system.

In particular cases of implementing the water purification systemaccording to the first and second embodiments, when further includingthe check valve 16, which is installed in the clean water line upstreamof the hydroautomatic unit 7, the system operates as in the general caseof its implementation, with the following differences.

Additional installation of the check valve 16 in the water purificationsystem protects the valves 11 and 12 of the hydroautomatic unit 7 from afalse triggering, when the pressure drops in the filled elastic chamber9 of the filtered water storage unit 6 of the storage device 5, whichprotects the system from excessive consumption of water drained into thedrainage, extends the life of reverse osmosis membrane 1, improves thequality of water filtration, and increases the life of the whole system.

In particular cases of implementing the water purification systemaccording to the first and second embodiments, with use of the proposedstorage device implemented according to the first and secondembodiments, and also the proposed storage unit for filtered water(FIGS. 1A and 1B, FIGS. 2A and 2B), when the body of the elastic chamber9 of the filtered water storage unit 6 is performed of a modifiedthermoplastic having biaxially-oriented structure, preferably, inparticular, of the group of thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers orthermoplastic styrene elastomers, and also in other particular cases,when the body walls of the elastic chamber 9 of the filtered waterstorage unit 6 are at least 20% thinner than the walls of chamber neck,or preferably have a thickness of 0.1 mm to 5 mm, most preferably 0.3 mmto 2 mm, the system operates as in the general case of itsimplementation, with the following differences.

As specified above, the use of the modified polymer withbiaxially-oriented structure as material for the body of the elasticchamber 9, which modified polymer, in particular, is preferably selectedfrom the group of thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers or thermoplasticstyrene elastomers, obtained in the manufacturing process, results inreduced fragility, increased ductility, increased bending fatiguestrength, and consequently improved stability of the elastic chamber 9of the filtered water storage unit 6 of the storage device 5 to cyclicloads during operation, and also increases barrier properties of theelastic chamber 9, thus reducing the risk of diffusing chemicals fromunpurified water.

The use of the elastic chamber 9 of the filtered water storage unit 6 ofthe storage device 5, which has specified numerical value of thethickness of walls of its body, which are optimal for these purposes,does not affect the operation of the storage device and the waterpurification system according to the first and second embodiments.

To implement the group of proposed inventions, namely, the filteredwater storage unit, the storage device and the water purificationsystem, both as in the general case and in particular embodiments, therecan be principally used the known and applicable in the field of waterpurification materials, elements and units.

For example, as the reverse osmosis membranes 1, there can be usedreverse osmosis membrane ULP1812-50 produced by “Vontron”.

The outlet pipe 2 for the clean water line and drainage 3 can beperformed, for example, of polyethylene tube ¼″ (6.35 mm) produced by“John Guest”.

As the clean water tap 4, there can be used, for example, the tap F1207Aproduced by “Dafeng”.

In the filtered water storage unit 6, the housing 8 can be performed,for example, of polypropylene BD31 OMO produced by “Borealis”, and theelastic chamber 9 can be performed of thermoplastic Dryflex 600601produced by “Nolato Elastotechnic”.

As the prefilter 13, there can be used, for example, the replaceablefiltering module R1-02 produced by “Aquaphor”.

As the shut-off hydraulically operated valve 14, there can be used, forexample, the shut-off valve H-V1050B-QC produced by “Applied membranes,Inc.”.

As the postfilter 15, there can be used, for example, the replaceablefiltering module K1-07 produced by “Aquaphor”.

As the check valve 16, there can be used, for example, the check valve3/8SCV produced by “John Guest”.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the example of a constructive implementation of theautomatic valves of the hydroautomatic unit 7 used in the firstembodiment of the water purification system with the storage deviceaccording to the first embodiment:

a) drainage automatic control valve 12 (FIG. 4A); and

b) water pumping automatic control valve 11 (FIG. 4B).

These valves are designed by “Aquaphor” on the basis of the knownmembrane type valves (for example, valve H-V1050B-QC produced by“Applied membranes, Inc.”), which basic components are likely performed.

Components in FIGS. 4A and 4B are defined as follows:

-   -   17—body;    -   18—cover;    -   19—spring;    -   20—rod;    -   21—ring;    -   22—ring;    -   23—insert;    -   24—bush;    -   25—membrane;    -   26—rod;    -   27—clamp;    -   28—cover;    -   29—rod; and    -   30—bush.

FIG. 5 shows the example of constructive implementation of automaticvalves of the hydroautomatic unit 7 used in the second embodiment of thewater purification system with the storage device according to thesecond embodiment. These valves (the water pumping control valve 11 andthe drainage control valve 12) in the present embodiment areconstructively combined and have a single controlling chamber, anddeveloped by “Aquaphor” also based on the known membrane-type valves(e.g., valve H-V1050B-QC produced by “Applied membranes, Inc.”), whichhave similar base components.

Components in the FIG. 5 are defined as follows:

-   -   18—cover;    -   19—spring;    -   20—rod;    -   21—ring;    -   22—ring;    -   23—insert;    -   24—bush;    -   25—membrane;    -   26—rod;    -   27—clamp;    -   28—cover;    -   29—rod;    -   30—bush; and    -   31—housing.

Components shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5 can be performed of engineeringplastics by the bulk forming method in thermoplastic injection-moldingmachines, excepting the following:

-   -   Spring 19 can be performed of material resistant to corrosion        (e.g., stainless steel) by wire winding;    -   Rings 21, 22 and membrane 25 may be performed by the bulk        forming method of silicone rubber or thermoplastic elastomer.

1. A water storage unit for a storage device of a water purificationsystem, the water storage unit comprising: a housing having a cavity anda first port, the first port in communication with a first line toreceive and transmit non-treated water; a monolithic chamber having arigid neck, an elastic body, and a second port, the chamber locatedinside the cavity and the neck fixed rigidly to the housing, the secondport in communication with a second line to receive and transmitfiltered water, the neck made of a thermoplastic elastomer having afirst supramolecular structure, the body made of the thermoplasticelastomer in which the first supramolecular structure is modified toform a second supramolecular structure that is biaxially-oriented; and apumping zone formed in the cavity between the chamber and the housing,the pumping zone and the chamber capable of storing separate volumes ofthe non-treated water and the filtered water, the volumes capable ofbeing increased and decreased reciprocally via the first port and thesecond port to form cyclical loads on the elastic body of the chamber,wherein the first supramolecular structure provides fixation rigidity ofthe neck to the housing, while the second supramolecular structureprovides increased resistance of the body to the cyclical loads.
 2. Thewater storage unit of claim 1, wherein chamber is hermetically separatedfrom the cavity of the housing.
 3. The water storage unit of claim 1,wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is a polyolefin or a styrene.
 4. Thewater storage unit of claim 1, wherein the first port providesbidirectional flow of the non-treated water among the pumping zone andthe first line.
 5. The water storage unit of claim 1, wherein the secondport provides bidirectional flow of the filtered water among the chamberand the second line.
 6. The water storage unit of claim 5, wherein theneck has a first wall and the body has a second wall, the second wallbeing at least 20% thinner than the first wall.
 7. The water storageunit of claim 6, wherein thickness of the second wall is between about0.1 mm and about 5 mm.
 8. The water storage unit of claim 6, whereinthickness of the second wall is between about 0.3 mm and about 2 mm. 9.The water storage unit of claim 1, wherein the chamber is formed bytwo-stage blow forming of the thermoplastic elastomer.
 10. The waterstorage unit of claim 1, wherein the neck is blow-formed from thethermoplastic elastomer, the neck having the first supramolecularstructure.
 11. The water storage unit of claim 10, wherein the body isblow-formed from the thermoplastic elastomer that extends the body fromthe neck, the body having the second supramolecular structure.
 12. Thewater storage unit of claim 11, wherein cold orientationalcrystallization forms the second supramolecular structure that isbiaxially-oriented.
 13. A water storage unit for a storage device of awater purification system, water storage unit comprising: a housing; amonolithic chamber located inside the housing for filtered water, thechamber comprising a neck and a body, the neck formed from athermoplastic elastomer and the body formed from the thermoplasticelastomer modified to a biaxially-oriented structure, the neck rigidlyconnecting the chamber to the housing; and a pumping zone fornon-treated water formed by a space between the chamber and the housing.14. The water storage unit of claim 13, wherein chamber is hermeticallyseparated from the space of the housing.
 15. The water storage unit ofclaim 13, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is a polyolefin or astyrene.
 16. The water storage unit of claim 13, wherein the housingcomprises a first port to provide bidirectional flow of the non-treatedwater into and out of the pumping zone.
 17. The water storage unit ofclaim 13, wherein the chamber comprises a second port to providebidirectional flow of filtered water into and out of the chamber. 18.The water storage unit of claim 13, wherein the neck has a first walland the body has a second wall, second wall being at least 20% thinnerthan the first wall.
 19. The water storage unit of claim 18, whereinthickness of the second wall is between about 0.1 mm and about 5 mm. 20.The water storage unit of claim 18, wherein thickness of the second wallis between about 0.3 mm and about 2 mm.